Partick Thistle goalkeeper Tomas Cerny reckons that Tynecastle and Celtic Park are two of most difficult venues to visit in the Premiership at any time, let alone within three days of one another.

But that is exactly the task that his team face from today when they take on Hearts in Edinburgh, before the short trip to take on Brendan Rodgers’ rampant side on Tuesday night.

Many may be daunted by such a task, but Cerny believes that the Jags can’t afford to write the matches off, with any points they can gain sure to prove a huge bonus in the congested bottom half of the table.

“I think Tynecastle is one of the most difficult stadiums to go to,” Cerny said.

“Along with Celtic Park it’s a very tough place to play and in this league you always look to these games. We have them back-to-back which is the way it sometimes happen.

“Our goal has to be to try and take something from these difficult matches.

“Last year we were poor against Hearts at Tynecastle but we deserved to take something from the game we played against them here. If we play a similar way on Saturday then we will have a chance.

“Every game there is something to play for and we have to try and pick up points where we can.

“I don’t think we are expected to win the next two games but that is still our aim.

“We believe we can get something, and we need to start picking up points against the bigger clubs.

“The game at Tynecastle will be different from the one at Celtic Park but because of the size of the stadium then it’s just as difficult.

“These are the games you want to play in. Full stadiums, good atmospheres, it’s why you are in football. It’s a great experience, but only if you do well.”

The double-header represents the start of a busy festive schedule of five games for Thistle before the winter break.

The psychological effect of being bottom of the table at this stage, as the Jags are, could probably be overstated given the tight nature of the league, but Cerny doesn’t want to be have such a prospect hanging over him during the league’s hiatus.

“We have five very big games to play before the winter break,” he said.

“It’s not something we have spoken about openly but I think we are well aware of the importance of the five games.

“It’s important we take points from them and give us a position to build from after the winter break.

“It’s a month break after the last game, so it’s a long time if you are bottom.

“We want to be in a good position coming back after the winter break, we don’t want to see ourselves in that position at the bottom of the table.

“We have been unlucky in three or four games, especially at home where we’ve perhaps lost a goal in the last minute. If we’d taken points there it would have been very different.

“We believe we are a better team than the table is telling us, but at the same time we need to start picking up points to prove that.

“We are where we are and we need to work hard over the next couple of weeks. We need to start showing it in terms of results.

“The table is tight but you don’t want to be adrift and the pressure builds.”

Not that Cerny believes for one minute that the bottom of the table is where Thistle will be for long.

“I believe the top six is achievable,” he added.

“We just need to go on a good run which is why the next five games are so important.

“It’s crazy how tight things are at the moment so we know with a couple of wins we can move up the table. We are in touch with the top six.”